Climate change is the most widespread & complex problem humanity has ever faced! There is no time to waste and we need to turn green talk into profound green action. This is the intention of the GREEN TIMES.

The need for innovation in the responsible design of plastic packaging and the essential focus on the post-consumer life of this material was discussed during a workshop at the Sustainable Brands HOW NOW conference in Cape Town. The conference created an opportunity for professionals from various industries to network and learn from their peers and a collection of thought … [Read more...]

Products made from PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) could be hard to recycle. Do not fall for the popular misconception that PVC is not recyclable. South Africa saw a 3.9 % increase in the total amount of PVC, or vinyl, diverted from landfill in 2014 (18 488 tons).
SAPRO’s Recycled Product of the Year Awards which took place in Stellenbosch recently, proved that there is a growing … [Read more...]

Improving your life whilst greening your environment is a match made in heaven. The Acornhoek community in rural Mpumalanga show us how it's done.
The northeast of South Africa is home to some of its best-visited tourist attractions. On the one side is Kruger National Park and the upmarket, private game lodges that surround it. On the other there’s God’s Window and the … [Read more...]

There are those who would only adjust their life and business if they are forced by a law. Then there are the pioneers who understand the link between the health of the planet and their own personal bliss and success.
Recycling waste is not a new phenomenon to the Tyger Valley Shopping Centre. Since 2007 all recyclables have been separated and reclaimed. But organic food … [Read more...]

“The focus of waste management in South Africa is changing. No longer is the emphasis on the disposal of waste, but rather on avoiding its generation and minimizing and recycling the waste stream wherever possible.”
This was the key message conveyed by Lisa Parkes, Marketing Manager of PETCO, at a workshop held during Wastecon in Somerset West this month.
“The law … [Read more...]

No less than 280 000 ton of plastic was recycled and diverted from landfill last year. That is 20 % of all plastics manufactured in South Africa. Results were released during Clean-Up and Recycle SA week.
This equates to a 4.1 % increase on the previous year’s figures. Of all the recycled plastic, 220 400 tons were derived from packaging, resulting in a year on year increase … [Read more...]

Who would not like to read and consult a free Carbon Footprinting Guide to help tweak your life and business?
Well, this is probably why this online guide has achieved more downloads than any other SA publication of its kind to date. Historically, such guides at best registered a few thousand downloads per annum, and the Guide is clocked over 53 000 six months after … [Read more...]

“Don’t accept no for an answer. Defy the rules! It’s the only way we’re going to make the change.”
This was the opening statement by Prof Gunter Pauli, Blue Economy entrepreneur from Belgium, who was the keynote speaker at the international Student Environmental Network summit hosted by the Stellenbosch University.
He has written 20 books, published in 34 languages, … [Read more...]

Do you think you have a plan for changing the world? It’s time to make it a reality!
There is a course tailored for those who already have an idea for a start-up and want to learn from seasoned experts about all the areas you need to think of before starting-up.
Muhammad Yunus, Scilla Elworthy, Jean-Remy von Matt and 34 other leaders share their secrets to success in the … [Read more...]

Each year building owners and facility managers enter their buildings in the National Energy Barometer Survey (NEBS) to compare how they have improved their energy use against others in a similar industry – hospitals, offices, car dealers, hotels and shopping centers. The latest results are out and the top performing buildings for the 2012 utility year are:
Head office: The … [Read more...]

A renewed energy and excitement filled the air in Klapmuts when crowds of people, including the honourable Mayor Conrad Sidego and over 140 volunteers from five corporate entities, gathered to take part in one of many Tree-a-thon’s (mass planting events) set to take place this year, as part of the “Million Trees” project.
The crowd were addressed by the Mayor Conrad Sidego, … [Read more...]

Did you know that after ten years in the industry almost half of all our PET beverage bottles are now recycled? That is 1.9 billion bottles per year diverted from the waste stream.
The PET Recycling Company (Pty) Ltd was registered on the 3rd November 2004 and their first set of Directors included the late Rob Rodger, Bob Naidoo, Syd Carter, Roger Thomas, Mandla Tisani, … [Read more...]